From all of us at GRMC...
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and all the best for 2012!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Washington Post is on the line, Todd...
It's not every day that a reporter from The Washington Post gives me a call.
A good friend of mine, Sita Ananth, director of knowledge services at the Samueli Institute, was first called by Post reporter, Michelle Andrews. The focus of the article is about how hospitals are using integrated therapies, such as massage and acupuncture. A topic we are very familiar with at GRMC.
In fact, this is not the first time GRMC has had national media coverage for our integrated medicine program. Nearly three years ago, a USA Today reporter came to Grinnell and did a story (read it here) on the positive effects of integrated therapies and featured Anne Stephens, MSOM, LAc and the Acupuncture Clinic of Grinnell. Anne's clinic is located at GRMC's Postels Community Health Park.
This week's Post article * also talks about why hospitals are moving toward more of these therapies. At GRMC we use integrated health to help improve patient outcomes. For example, a preoperative chair massage helps patients reduce anxiety and their IV's start easier and they use less pain medicine after surgery. To me, it is also about helping people stay well in the first place so that if people do require medical care, maybe they won't need the degree of care they might otherwise need if they weren't as healthy to begin with.
I know. That seems contrary to the message you'd expect to hear from the CEO of a hospital, especially when we are all trying to find new ways to generate revenue. However, community hospitals that aren't in the wellness and health improvement business will soon wish they were as we shift from the current fee-for-service reimbursement system to one of being at risk for the health of a population.
We have been engaged in integrated health for more than a decade at GRMC. In this search for finding the best ways to improve health, we are not alone. Some of the most prestigious healthcare institutions in the country also have robust integrative therapy programs like the Mayo Clinic, Kaiser, and the Cleveland Clinic...all world-renowned, highly respected healthcare institutions.
I am glad that the Samueli Institute, who does a comprehensive nationwide survey of complementary and alternative medicine, along with the American Hospital Association/Health Forum, encouraged The Washington Post to "call Grinnell Regional Medical Center about this topic." It is fun to share with America and beyond what our team is doing so well here in Grinnell.
Across the board, to matter the specialty, I am proud of ever single provider, employee, volunteer, and supporter who make GRMC the extraordinary community hospital it is.
* please note, to access The Washington Post article you may have to register. There is no fee to do so.
A good friend of mine, Sita Ananth, director of knowledge services at the Samueli Institute, was first called by Post reporter, Michelle Andrews. The focus of the article is about how hospitals are using integrated therapies, such as massage and acupuncture. A topic we are very familiar with at GRMC.
In fact, this is not the first time GRMC has had national media coverage for our integrated medicine program. Nearly three years ago, a USA Today reporter came to Grinnell and did a story (read it here) on the positive effects of integrated therapies and featured Anne Stephens, MSOM, LAc and the Acupuncture Clinic of Grinnell. Anne's clinic is located at GRMC's Postels Community Health Park.
This week's Post article * also talks about why hospitals are moving toward more of these therapies. At GRMC we use integrated health to help improve patient outcomes. For example, a preoperative chair massage helps patients reduce anxiety and their IV's start easier and they use less pain medicine after surgery. To me, it is also about helping people stay well in the first place so that if people do require medical care, maybe they won't need the degree of care they might otherwise need if they weren't as healthy to begin with.
I know. That seems contrary to the message you'd expect to hear from the CEO of a hospital, especially when we are all trying to find new ways to generate revenue. However, community hospitals that aren't in the wellness and health improvement business will soon wish they were as we shift from the current fee-for-service reimbursement system to one of being at risk for the health of a population.
We have been engaged in integrated health for more than a decade at GRMC. In this search for finding the best ways to improve health, we are not alone. Some of the most prestigious healthcare institutions in the country also have robust integrative therapy programs like the Mayo Clinic, Kaiser, and the Cleveland Clinic...all world-renowned, highly respected healthcare institutions.
I am glad that the Samueli Institute, who does a comprehensive nationwide survey of complementary and alternative medicine, along with the American Hospital Association/Health Forum, encouraged The Washington Post to "call Grinnell Regional Medical Center about this topic." It is fun to share with America and beyond what our team is doing so well here in Grinnell.
Across the board, to matter the specialty, I am proud of ever single provider, employee, volunteer, and supporter who make GRMC the extraordinary community hospital it is.
* please note, to access The Washington Post article you may have to register. There is no fee to do so.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Buckle your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride
Oh, boy...hang on to your hats!
It looks like it is going to be a bumpy ride for healthcare providers as the federal government wrestles with the deficit. President Obama recently released his recommendations for reductions over the next ten years and compared to MedPAC (the advisory board to Congress on Medicare issues) and the Congressional Budget Office, the President's proposal is the most moderate. But that said, he is still recommending a cut of $320 billion on top of the $155 billion that was already part of the Affordable Care Act. Ouch! This would mean massive reductions in staff and services in the nation's hospitals as a result.
There is no question that if you are going to make a meaningful reduction in the federal deficit you are probably going to have to look at Medicare and Medicaid since they make up such a big part of the deficit. At the same time, when the economy continues to be on the rocks, these cuts will most certainly mean big reductions in jobs in the healthcare sector. This is going to be a tough decision for lawmakers and given the unbelievable partisanship going on in Washington right now, I really don't think an agreement is likely.
Are there any other answers to reducing the costs in Medicare and Medicaid in this country? Sure. There were several huge disappointments in the Affordable Care Act including a total lack of personal responsibility for people to take care of themselves. There is a lot of money in the law for improving health, but little incentive for individuals to be accountable for their own health. Think about it - the law really starts shifting the financial responsibility for improved health to the providers. One of the centerpieces of the law is the Value Based Purchasing (VBP) which incents providers to improve care and reduce costs for Medicare beneficiaries by holding back some of the payment at the front end and letting hospitals compete on improved quality and patient satisfaction scores. The quality measures are moving toward looking at outcomes for Medicare patients and will reward those providers with the best outcomes.
I fully support the government buying healthcare based on value. We actually expect that Iowa providers will do very well with this provision of the law given our high quality scores and lower expenses compared to other parts of the country. However, why not also incent the beneficiaries to be partners in their health? The physician can provide all the right advice to his or her diabetic or hypertensive patients, but if they won't improve their diet or take their medication, the provider gets punished by the system and ultimately there will be no cost savings.
I just got back from Mississippi where the obesity rate is the highest in the country. No offense, but folks there appear to really like their fried food. While I was there, I heard a local doctor on a panel of presenters. He did some of his training in Colorado where they have the lowest obesity rates. He said many Colorado residents like to hike in the mountains and eat granola. It is a concern if Mississippi doctors are going to be evaluated then punished for how well their patients control their diabetes compared to his medical counterparts in Colorado. Shouldn't the patient take some responsibility to be compliant and accountable for their health and the recommendations their doctor makes?
I realize it is going to be extremely difficult for a politician to stand up in front of voters and say, "I am going to work on legislation that will likely have an impact on the lifestyle choices people are making."
The largest and fastest growing part of the federal budget is related to Medicare and Medicaid. I believe it is time for us all to realize that if through taxes we are going to pay for the care of seniors and the poor, we will never afford it if beneficiaries are not required to take some responsibility for living a healthy lifestyle.
In the meantime, if the federal budget is going to be balanced by slashing reimbursements to hospitals and physicians for providing Medicare and Medicaid to a growing population and one that seems to be less healthy, I do believe we are indeed headed for a very bumpy ride.
It looks like it is going to be a bumpy ride for healthcare providers as the federal government wrestles with the deficit. President Obama recently released his recommendations for reductions over the next ten years and compared to MedPAC (the advisory board to Congress on Medicare issues) and the Congressional Budget Office, the President's proposal is the most moderate. But that said, he is still recommending a cut of $320 billion on top of the $155 billion that was already part of the Affordable Care Act. Ouch! This would mean massive reductions in staff and services in the nation's hospitals as a result.
There is no question that if you are going to make a meaningful reduction in the federal deficit you are probably going to have to look at Medicare and Medicaid since they make up such a big part of the deficit. At the same time, when the economy continues to be on the rocks, these cuts will most certainly mean big reductions in jobs in the healthcare sector. This is going to be a tough decision for lawmakers and given the unbelievable partisanship going on in Washington right now, I really don't think an agreement is likely.
Are there any other answers to reducing the costs in Medicare and Medicaid in this country? Sure. There were several huge disappointments in the Affordable Care Act including a total lack of personal responsibility for people to take care of themselves. There is a lot of money in the law for improving health, but little incentive for individuals to be accountable for their own health. Think about it - the law really starts shifting the financial responsibility for improved health to the providers. One of the centerpieces of the law is the Value Based Purchasing (VBP) which incents providers to improve care and reduce costs for Medicare beneficiaries by holding back some of the payment at the front end and letting hospitals compete on improved quality and patient satisfaction scores. The quality measures are moving toward looking at outcomes for Medicare patients and will reward those providers with the best outcomes.
I fully support the government buying healthcare based on value. We actually expect that Iowa providers will do very well with this provision of the law given our high quality scores and lower expenses compared to other parts of the country. However, why not also incent the beneficiaries to be partners in their health? The physician can provide all the right advice to his or her diabetic or hypertensive patients, but if they won't improve their diet or take their medication, the provider gets punished by the system and ultimately there will be no cost savings.
I just got back from Mississippi where the obesity rate is the highest in the country. No offense, but folks there appear to really like their fried food. While I was there, I heard a local doctor on a panel of presenters. He did some of his training in Colorado where they have the lowest obesity rates. He said many Colorado residents like to hike in the mountains and eat granola. It is a concern if Mississippi doctors are going to be evaluated then punished for how well their patients control their diabetes compared to his medical counterparts in Colorado. Shouldn't the patient take some responsibility to be compliant and accountable for their health and the recommendations their doctor makes?
I realize it is going to be extremely difficult for a politician to stand up in front of voters and say, "I am going to work on legislation that will likely have an impact on the lifestyle choices people are making."
The largest and fastest growing part of the federal budget is related to Medicare and Medicaid. I believe it is time for us all to realize that if through taxes we are going to pay for the care of seniors and the poor, we will never afford it if beneficiaries are not required to take some responsibility for living a healthy lifestyle.
In the meantime, if the federal budget is going to be balanced by slashing reimbursements to hospitals and physicians for providing Medicare and Medicaid to a growing population and one that seems to be less healthy, I do believe we are indeed headed for a very bumpy ride.
Monday, October 24, 2011
A Spook-tacular Halloween Ride
Spinning® is one of the most popular group wellness classes offered through Grinnell Regional Wellness and Fitness Center. This indoor cycling program is led by a certified Spinning® instructor who takes participants through a workout that simulates an outdoor ride.
Like many fitness classes, music is a very important part of the experience.
In fact, research has shown that the right music can help athletes lower their perception of effort making the brain think that the body is not working as hard as it really is. Music used in connection with exercise can help set the pace for moving to the beat of the music.
Spinning® instructors also become a disc-jockey because they carefully select music for the warm-up, the various components of the ride, and the cool-down. One of GRMC’s Spinning® instructors, Denise Lamphier, submitted a playlist for a spooky Halloween ride to the Spinning® instructors’ newsletter for a contest. Denise’s playlist was one of three selected to be featured from instructors’ submissions from all over the country. Congratulations, Denise!
You can join Denise on her Halloween Spinning® ride at 5:30 a.m., Monday, October 31. It’s early, but don’t let that scare you! Join in the fun and get your Halloween Monday off to a fun and fit start.
This will be the first-ever Spinning® class in the new fitness center location at Postels Community Health Park on the Commercial Street entrance. GRMC is thrilled to develop the space at Postels to bring even more of our wellness services under one roof. Come and check out the new digs!
Questions? Call Cory Jackson, wellness director, 641-236-2999.
Playlist by Denise Lamphier:
“This Is Halloween” Marilyn Manson
“Monster Mash” Bobby "Boris" Pickett
“Ghostbusters” Ray Parker Jr.
“Bat Out of Hell” Meatloaf
“I Want Candy (Kevin Shields Remix)” Bow Wow Wow
“Hotel California” The Eagles
“Twilight Zone” Golden Earring
“Millie and Billie” Alice Cooper
“Marie Lavaux” Bobby Bare
“Little Red Riding Hood” Nine Nine Nine
“Ben” Michael Jackson
Like many fitness classes, music is a very important part of the experience.
In fact, research has shown that the right music can help athletes lower their perception of effort making the brain think that the body is not working as hard as it really is. Music used in connection with exercise can help set the pace for moving to the beat of the music.
Spinning® instructors also become a disc-jockey because they carefully select music for the warm-up, the various components of the ride, and the cool-down. One of GRMC’s Spinning® instructors, Denise Lamphier, submitted a playlist for a spooky Halloween ride to the Spinning® instructors’ newsletter for a contest. Denise’s playlist was one of three selected to be featured from instructors’ submissions from all over the country. Congratulations, Denise!
You can join Denise on her Halloween Spinning® ride at 5:30 a.m., Monday, October 31. It’s early, but don’t let that scare you! Join in the fun and get your Halloween Monday off to a fun and fit start.
This will be the first-ever Spinning® class in the new fitness center location at Postels Community Health Park on the Commercial Street entrance. GRMC is thrilled to develop the space at Postels to bring even more of our wellness services under one roof. Come and check out the new digs!
Questions? Call Cory Jackson, wellness director, 641-236-2999.
Playlist by Denise Lamphier:
“This Is Halloween” Marilyn Manson
“Monster Mash” Bobby "Boris" Pickett
“Ghostbusters” Ray Parker Jr.
“Bat Out of Hell” Meatloaf
“I Want Candy (Kevin Shields Remix)” Bow Wow Wow
“Hotel California” The Eagles
“Twilight Zone” Golden Earring
“Millie and Billie” Alice Cooper
“Marie Lavaux” Bobby Bare
“Little Red Riding Hood” Nine Nine Nine
“Ben” Michael Jackson
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Influencing Rural Healthcare Policy with NACRHHS
I just attended my last meeting as a member of the National Advisory Committee for Rural Health and Human Services. This committee is made up of men and women from all across our nation from Alaska to Maine, Florida to Montana. Members include doctors, nurse practitioners, academics, politicians, Medicare officials, association leaders and hospital administrators. The committee is well-supported by staff from the Office of Rural Health Policy. Our primary responsibility is to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services on rural policy issues. It has been a privilege to serve with these fine folks. They take this job seriously and we get into some very healthy debates about what is best for the people of rural America.
Twice a year, the committee takes a field trip and this most recent meeting was held in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, hosted by our committee chair and former Governor of Mississippi, Ronnie Musgrove.
My subcommittee was charged to make recommendations to Secretary Sibelius about the new primary care payment changes for physicians and other healthcare providers. The proposed rule for this provision in the Affordable Care Act was just published in July and my sense is that most providers don't know much about it. One of our recommendations will likely be that HHS needs to gets more information so providers can prepare for these upcoming changes. Much like value based payment (VBP) for hospitals, this provision in the law will reward providers that enhance quality and reduce resource use for Medicare patients in their practices. Although this idea has been trialed in a number of practices around the country, it was not tested in rural communities.
We will likely be completing our briefing paper to the Secretary in the next several weeks. There is additional information at the NACRHHS website. Also on this website are other reports and briefing papers the committee has completed, including the most recent on the demonstration project on VBP for smaller hospitals, insurance exchanges, and aging.
I will miss these meetings for two major reasons. I will miss the truly wonderful people who serve on and supoprt the committee and also the opportunity to have input into the executive branch of government. I believe this committee has helped to address concerns and issues that impact people in rural America. I send all my best wishes to the committee as a new group of members join those who continue their terms of service.
Twice a year, the committee takes a field trip and this most recent meeting was held in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, hosted by our committee chair and former Governor of Mississippi, Ronnie Musgrove.
My subcommittee was charged to make recommendations to Secretary Sibelius about the new primary care payment changes for physicians and other healthcare providers. The proposed rule for this provision in the Affordable Care Act was just published in July and my sense is that most providers don't know much about it. One of our recommendations will likely be that HHS needs to gets more information so providers can prepare for these upcoming changes. Much like value based payment (VBP) for hospitals, this provision in the law will reward providers that enhance quality and reduce resource use for Medicare patients in their practices. Although this idea has been trialed in a number of practices around the country, it was not tested in rural communities.
We will likely be completing our briefing paper to the Secretary in the next several weeks. There is additional information at the NACRHHS website. Also on this website are other reports and briefing papers the committee has completed, including the most recent on the demonstration project on VBP for smaller hospitals, insurance exchanges, and aging.
I will miss these meetings for two major reasons. I will miss the truly wonderful people who serve on and supoprt the committee and also the opportunity to have input into the executive branch of government. I believe this committee has helped to address concerns and issues that impact people in rural America. I send all my best wishes to the committee as a new group of members join those who continue their terms of service.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Falling From the Sky
Leading a healthcare organization these days often feels like I'm falling out of the sky...
What will be the future of healthcare reform?
How viable will rural hospitals be?
Will there be the resources necessary to keep facilities and equipment up to the standards of quality we demand?
To mark my son Grant's 18th birthday and to check an item off my bucket list, we went skydiving. What a rush! Sky Dive Iowa is located about ten minutes from my home in Brooklyn, Iowa, and on a beautiful August Sunday morning in Iowa, we jumped out of a perfectly good airplane for the first time.
We did a tandem jump and each of us were strapped to an experienced diver. I was with a diver who was a paratrooper just back from Afghanistan. He was friendly with loads of confidence and focus. I felt safe the entire time. Grant and I received about 15 minutes of instruction and then we boarded the plane with the divers, the pilot, and a videographer. It took about 20 minutes for the plane to take us up to about 8,000 feet.
Then, the moment of truth...time to jump! It was pure heart-thumping and adrenaline-pumping exhiliaration as we fell through the sky for a 20-second free fall before the diver pulled the cord on the parachute. We slowly floated and peacefully decended. Grant and his diver jumped out behind us and the divers guided us to within feet of each other. It was amazing to see Grant floating alongside as we both slowly fell to earth. The whole thing probably took about 10 minutes. The landing was a piece of cake and soon Grant and I were arm-in-arm with smiles as big as a Texas ranch. "Awesome" was the word we kept using over and over again.
So, how did my free fall compare to the tumultous times in healthcare these days? Honestly, skydiving is a piece of cake compared to running a hospital these days. I definitely recommend a sky dive for anyone who is a little adventurous.... you will be glad you did.
What will be the future of healthcare reform?
How viable will rural hospitals be?
Will there be the resources necessary to keep facilities and equipment up to the standards of quality we demand?
To mark my son Grant's 18th birthday and to check an item off my bucket list, we went skydiving. What a rush! Sky Dive Iowa is located about ten minutes from my home in Brooklyn, Iowa, and on a beautiful August Sunday morning in Iowa, we jumped out of a perfectly good airplane for the first time.
We did a tandem jump and each of us were strapped to an experienced diver. I was with a diver who was a paratrooper just back from Afghanistan. He was friendly with loads of confidence and focus. I felt safe the entire time. Grant and I received about 15 minutes of instruction and then we boarded the plane with the divers, the pilot, and a videographer. It took about 20 minutes for the plane to take us up to about 8,000 feet.
Then, the moment of truth...time to jump! It was pure heart-thumping and adrenaline-pumping exhiliaration as we fell through the sky for a 20-second free fall before the diver pulled the cord on the parachute. We slowly floated and peacefully decended. Grant and his diver jumped out behind us and the divers guided us to within feet of each other. It was amazing to see Grant floating alongside as we both slowly fell to earth. The whole thing probably took about 10 minutes. The landing was a piece of cake and soon Grant and I were arm-in-arm with smiles as big as a Texas ranch. "Awesome" was the word we kept using over and over again.
So, how did my free fall compare to the tumultous times in healthcare these days? Honestly, skydiving is a piece of cake compared to running a hospital these days. I definitely recommend a sky dive for anyone who is a little adventurous.... you will be glad you did.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Do good for yourself and others. "It's the BEAUTY SCHOOL rule."
Women of the GRMC service area took home this message of taking care of themselves following the
fifth Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair.
Six ladies showcased their makeovers and many women had their hair styled as part of the many special activities of the evening. Above is a before and after photo of Mary, a GRMC employee.
GRMC Massage therapists provided chair massages and chair yoga.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)